Latest news with #Ludwig
Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
New BBC drama smashes records despite viewers ‘switching off' after 5 minutesNew
BBC's new cosy crime drama Death Valley has smashed an impressive record already despite some less-than-enthusiastic reviews of the show. The six-episode Timothy Spall comedy-drama secured a whopping 2.9million viewers in its overnight ratings for the first episode. This not only made it the biggest audience for a new BBC Scripted Comedy title in five years but it even beat David Mitchell's fellow crime-solving sitcom Ludwig which landed 2.8million viewers for its premiere in September. The unexpected frontrunner, which came out last week, follows retired TV actor John Chapel (Spall) who has made a name for himself as a crime-solving sleuth the likes of Poirot and Sherlock. When one of his groupies DS Janie Mallowan (Gwyneth Keyworth) tracks him down she hopes he can help her crack some mysteries and climb the career ladder in one fell swoop. It's already been compared to everything from Gavin and Stacey (which has broken its own record or two) to Midsomer Murders as we witness the hijinks of this chaotic duo. But not everyone has had glowing thoughts about the show. 'Five mins & switching off – this is AWFUL soooooo baaad,' X user Philgals Swigott wrote. 'I really wanted to like Death Valley on BBC1, but it's beyond terrible,' SonnerSounds added. 'Sorry, but I could only watch a quarter of an hour of this before turning off and cancelling all future recordings,' CaroleBlain shared. Anne Sharman called it 'so dreadful on every level' and Robert Halpert said it was '45 minutes of life' they aren't getting back.# Of course, it has also managed to win over some viewers. 'I will watch Timothy Spall in anything, and Death Valley seems pretty good so far,' Roz Laws shared. 'Contrary to those who hate it I'm loving Death Valley so far,' Signoramac declared. 'Only ten minutes in but Death Valley is a breath of fresh air,' Danny Denay echoed. And if it's following the footsteps of Ludwig (also starring Anna Maxwell Martin), we can expect a season two renewal sooner rather than later. So there's likely more to come for this plucky young detective and our reclusive actor. Speaking about their dynamic to Radio Times, the Bafta-winning Harry Potter star said: 'They recognise each other instantly in their souls. They cut straight through any generational difference, any bizarre sexual difference or anything like that.' He described it more akin to an 'uncle and niece' aesthetic. More Trending It's been a standout run for BBC comedies over the past year. In December, the epic Gavin and Stacey finale drew in 19.3million viewersmaking it the 'most-watched scripted show across all broadcasters and streamers since current records began in 2002'. Not an easy feat. View More » All episodes of Death Valley are available to stream on BBC iPlayer now. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Harry Potter fans say new Hermione is 'perfect casting' after unearthed clip MORE: Doctor Who boss promises finale will address 'controversial' Time Lord change MORE: Yet another celebrity discovers they're related to a king 9 years after Danny Dyer
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
BBC's Death Valley draws record viewers despite mixed reviews
BBC's Death Valley draws record viewers despite mixed reviews The BBC has shared the viewing figures for new comedy-drama Death Valley following the launch of the show last weekend, after some viewers complained about the first episode. BBC's latest offering, Death Valley, which started on the weekend, has unveiled its viewership data amidst polarised opinions from audiences regarding its premiere episode. The series set against the Welsh backdrop introduces us to detective sergeant Janie Mallowan (portrayed by Gwyneth Keyworth) and has-been actor John Chapel (played by Timothy Spall), who join forces in an unexpected twist to crack down on crime. Created by Paul Doolan, known for his work on the Sky One series Trollied, Death Valley has drawn parallels with Ludwig and been likened to Death in Paradise. However, it recently made its debut on BBC One this Sunday past, with the show scheduled to continue on the channel the following weekend, while all episodes can be accessed via BBC iPlayer. BBC's Death Valley draws record viewers despite mixed reviews (Image: BBC/BBC Studios/Simon Ridgway ) ITV caller delivers brutal divorce swipe at Paddy McGuinness READ MORE: Mastermind winner details unique first date after finding love on BBC show READ MORE: BBC's revelation confirms that the show's first foray into living rooms garnered 2.9 million viewers during its prime time spot from 8.15pm until 9pm on BBC One—marking the highest debut audience for a new BBC Scripted Comedy in the last half-decade. This milestone slightly surpasses the viewer count of Ludwig when it premiered in September of the previous year, amassing 2.8 million. Featuring familiar faces such as Steffan Rhodri and Melanie Walters from Gavin and Stacey in its line-up, Death Valley centres on the "unlikely crime-solving partnership" between washed-up actor John, recognised for his role as a fictional sleuth, and police officer Janie, reports the Mirror. The show promises engaging dynamics with a descriptive tease: "They'd make the perfect crime-fighting duo - if only they could get along!" Death Valley aired its first episode on Sunday night (Image: BBC/BBC Studios/Simon Ridgway ) The premiere of Death Valley was met with a polarised response on X despite its reported success in the ratings. Several individuals indicated an early dislike for the show, with swift dismissals being shared online. One viewer expressed immediate displeasure, writing: "5 mins and switching off - this is AWEFUL soooooo baaad." Another viewer switched channels abruptly stating: "Had to turn over." Echoing the sentiment, someone else remarked: "I only lasted 10 mins." There was a consensus amongst others who found little to enjoy about the programme. Complaints kept coming as one critic mentioned: "Ten minutes unintelligible thanks." While another reeled: "Just sat and watched the biggest heap of s***e ever and it's called #DeathValley that's 45 minutes of life I ain't getting back." Death Valley got mixed reactions from people watching online (Image: BBC/BBC Studios/Simon Ridgway ) Comments continued to critique the show, with another sharing: "Shame #DeathValley had good potential. But it's so cringeworthy. Can't believe it was considered good Sunday night viewing. Can't wait for #Ludwig series 2!!!" Yet, not everyone felt let down by Death Valley. Some viewers did speak out in support of the show. An enthusiastic fan praised it, saying: "I really enjoyed that. Hilarious! Policing at its finest! #DeathValley. Well done all involved! :) I howled all the way through!" Another supporter took to the platform to commend the show: "Not everyone's cup of tea but I loved #DeathValley. Quirky but most enjoyable, acting was superb by both lead actors. Full marks to all involved in this series - looking forward to more. Well done #BBC." A third viewer shared high praise on social media, writing: "#DeathValley is absolutely excellent. Getting the blend of comedy and drama right is very difficult - but the team have done it here. It can build a following. The brilliant Brokenwood Mysteries from NZ is now in its 11th season. #DeathValley can follow a similar trajectory." Article continues below Another keen fan took to the internet to express their enjoyment, stating: "#deathvalley really enjoying the show. Easy going murder mystery. Think Death in Paradise but in Llandeilo. Nice to hear genuine Welsh accents on TV. Tidy." Death Valley is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
BBC's new crime drama breaks record despite viewers 'switching off'
Death Valley - which stars Gwyneth Keyworth and Timothy Spall - launched on BBC One over the weekend with the first of six episodes of the new comedy-drama series The BBC has announced the viewing figures for its new comedy-drama Death Valley following the launch of the show on the weekend. It comes following a mixed reaction from some viewers over the recently-aired first episode. The six-part series set in Wales follows detective sergeant Janie Mallowan (played by Gwyneth Keyworth) and retired actor John Chapel (Timothy Spall), who team up to solve crimes. The show is written and created by Paul Doolan, whose previous work includes the Sky One sitcom Trollied. Death Valley - which has drawn comparisons Ludwig and Death in Paradise - launched just days ago, with its first episode having aired on BBC One on Sunday night. It's set to continue on the channel this weekend, though all six episodes are already available through BBC iPlayer. It has now been announced by the BBC that Death Valley's launch - which aired from 8.15pm to 9pm - drew an audience of 2.9 million on BBC One, with it achieving the largest Overnights audience for a new BBC Scripted Comedy title in five years. It adds that it outperformed Ludwig's premiere in September last year, which attracted 2.8 million viewers. The show - which includes Gavin and Stacey stars Steffan Rhodri and Melanie Walters among its cast - centres on the "unlikely crime-solving partnership" between retired actor John, who played a fictional detective, and police officer Janie. It's teased in a synopsis: "They'd make the perfect crime-fighting duo - if only they could get along!" There was a mixed reaction on X to the first episode, despite the news this week that the debut was a ratings success. Some people even shared that they were turning Death Valley off just minutes into the premiere. One person wrote: "5 mins & switching off - this is AWEFUL soooooo baaad." Another said: "Had to turn over." Someone else commented: "I only lasted 10 mins." Others similarly weren't impressed by the new TV show. Someone said: "Ten minutes unintelligible thanks." Another viewer wrote: "Just sat and watched the biggest heap of s***e ever and it's called #DeathValley that's 45 minutes of life I ain't getting back." And sharing their thoughts, one person wrote recently: "Shame #DeathValley had good potential. But it's so cringeworthy. Can't believe it was considered good Sunday night viewing. Can't wait for #Ludwig series 2!!!" Not everyone was unimpressed though. A number of viewers have shared that like Death Valley so far. One fan said: "I really enjoyed that. Hilarious! Policing at its finest! #DeathValley. Well done all involved!:) I howled all the way through!" Another said on the platform: "Not everyone's cup of tea but I loved #DeathValley. Quirky but most enjoyable, acting was superb by both lead actors. Full marks to all involved in this series - looking forward to more. Well done #BBC." A third wrote: "#DeathValley is absolutely excellent. Getting the blend of comedy & drama right is very difficult - but the team have done it here. It can build a following. The brilliant Brokenwood Mysteries from NZ is now in its 11th season. #DeathValley can follow a similar trajectory." Sharing their thoughts in a post recently, another viewer said: "#deathvalley really enjoying the show. Easy going murder mystery. Think Death in Paradise but in Llandeilo. Nice to hear genuine Welsh accents on TV. Tidy." Death Valley continues on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Sunday night from 8.15pm. All episodes are available on the streaming platform now.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
About 1 in 4 Americans are "functionally unemployed," researcher says
While the unemployment rate remains near a 50-year low, another measure of worker well-being indicates there may be bigger cracks in the labor market. The low unemployment rate, which stood at 4.2% in April, has signaled to economists and investors alike that the U.S. economy remains relatively healthy. Employers are also continuing to hire despite headwinds like tariffs and plunging consumer confidence. But another indicator suggests those pieces of government data may be painting an overly rosy picture of the economy, with a recent report from the Ludwig Institute for Shared Economic Prosperity (LISEP) finding the "true rate" of unemployment stood at 24.3% in April, up slightly from 24% in March, while the official Bureau of Labor Statistics rate remained unchanged at 4.2% over the same period. LISEP's measure encompasses not only unemployed workers, but also people who are looking for work but can't find full-time employment, as well as those stuck in poverty-wage jobs. By tracking functionally unemployed workers, the measure seeks to capture labor market nuances that other economic indicators miss, such as Americans who are left behind during periods of economic expansion. "The unemployment data, as it's put out, has some flaws," LISEP chairman Gene Ludwig told CBS MoneyWatch. "For example, it counts you as employed if you've worked as little as one hour over the prior two weeks. So you can be homeless and in a tent community and have worked one hour and be counted, irrespective of how poorly-paid that hour may be." LISEP, in a working paper on the gauge, says the measure prevents part-time jobs or poorly paid work from being counted as equal to full-time and better-paid work. LISEP also argues that the unemployment rate "presents a very incomplete and, in many ways, misleading picture." In other words, people who lack steady work and don't earn living wages shouldn't be counted as functionally employed. Its True Rate of Unemployment (TRU), which began tracking the measure in 2020, encapsulates workers whose earnings don't allow them to make ends meet, and are struggling just to get by, according to LISEP. "If you're part time and can't get a full-time job, then we count you as functionally unemployed," Ludwig noted. "We also count as functionally unemployed people who don't earn above a poverty wage." "Survival mode" In so doing, it counts workers who can't afford to put roofs over their heads, can't procure nuturious meals and don't have the ability to save as being functionally unemployed. "You don't have anything that gets you to the first rung of the American dream ladder. You're in survival mode," Ludwig said. When broken down by race and gender, TRU shows Hispanic, Black and women workers faring worse than White workers, as well as men. More than 28% of Hispanic workers, and nearly 27% of Black workers are functionally unemployed, compared to 23% of White workers. And more female workers — 28.6% — are functionally unemployed than male workers, whose true rate of unemployment stands at 20%, according to LISEP. Millions of households are currently struggling to maintain a "minimal quality of life," according to another recent analysis from LISEP. Its research found that the lowest-earning Americans around the U.S. are falling well short of what they need to maintain a decent standard of living. These households earned an average of $38,000 per year in 2023, but would need to make $67,000 to afford the items the group tracks as part of its index, which also includes the cost of professional clothing and basic leisure activities. The wide chasm between the the BLS's measure of unemployment and its true rate of unemployment is also concerning, according to Ludwig. "If you say there's 4.2% unemployment, which makes political folks happy because it's a low number, it causes all kinds of poor policy decisions and assumes we are better off than we are," Ludwig said. "There's less energy and less of a push to improve employment, and the people who get hurt at middle- and low-income Americans." Delta Air Lines' 100th year takes flight 9 young siblings killed in Israeli airstrike in Gaza Full interview: Jack McCain on "Face the Nation"
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
BBC viewers left with same complaint after switching off new crime drama just minutes in
The BBC aired its "fun new crime spoof" series, starring Timothy Spall, for the first time on Sunday evening, but viewers were left unimpressed just minutes into the new show. BBC viewers were left disappointed after settling down to watch a brand new comedy show only to switch it off just moments later with many vocalising the same complaint. Death Valley kicked off on Sunday evening on May 25, starring Timothy Spall as reclusive actor John Chapel famed for his role as a TV detective. However, it transpires that he also has a talent for solving crimes in real life too. Despite his best efforts to live a peaceful and quiet life, he crosses paths with detective Janie Mallowan, played by Gwyneth Keyworth, who is investigating a mysterious death nearby. It turns out she's actually the actor's biggest fan and the pair find themselves becoming an unlikely duo as they pair up to solve crimes. The BBC programme, which was filmed entirely in Wales, features a glittering cast alongside Spall and Keyworth. It includes Gavin and Stacey star Steffan Rhodri, Alexandria Riley of Silo and The Pembrokeshire Murders fame, Sian Gibson known for her work on Peter Kay's Car Share plus additional writing from comedian and actor Sian Harries, the Express reports. However, despite the fun premise and the show's promising reviews, some viewers were left unimpressed and flocked to social media to share their initial thoughts. Despite The Guardian pitching the show as a "a fun new crime spoof for Ludwig fans," not everybody agreed. One viewer remarked: "Just what I thought! It's too silly. The Guardian says people who love Ludwig will love Death Valley. NO! I LOVE Ludwig - this is absolute rubbish!" Another chimed in: "Five mins & switching off - this is AWFUL. So bad." A third viewer described the show as having "BBC1 weekday afternoon vibes to it." Another person who tuned in wrote: "Hmm ... Not hitting the spot yet" while a fifth complained: "Ten minutes unintelligible thanks." However, others had good things to say about the new programme with many hailing Timothy Spall's standout performance as the reclusive TV star, and others comparing it to other shows they had seen. One viewer gushed: "Love Timothy Spall". Another compared it to ITV drama, Professor T starring Ben Miller, as they remarked: "#DeathValley this is very much like #ProfessorT". Ahead of the show's debut on Sunday evening, creator Paul Doolan described where the inspiration for the show came from. He told the BBC: "I liked the idea of a TV actor who played a detective, and a fan of them, and the awkward relationship, but I couldn't really get beyond what else was funny about that. "Then I thought 'what if they solve murders?', which is all really meta, and then started plotting it based around that." Death Valley airs Sundays at 8.15pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
